News Details

Voter ID Preparation Nears Completion

(Nov. 21, 2013) LITTLE ROCK – Secretary of State Mark Martin announced today the completion of a statewide installation of equipment to produce photographic identification for voters.

“This project has put counties in compliance with the requirements of Act 595 of 2013. It also provides additional integrity to our electoral system” Martin said. “

The act requires that, as of Jan. 1, 2014, voters show photographic proof of identity. It tasked the Secretary of State with establishing rules to issue identification cards to voters who have no other proof of identity.

The Secretary of State’s office provided Voter ID systems to each of Arkansas’s 75 counties. The Voter ID systems allow the county clerk’s office to produce photo identification cards at no charge.

“Free photographic voter ID cards are available to registered voters who sign an oath that they have no other valid form of photo identification,” Martin said.

Act 595 established a broad definition of a valid photo identification, besides the new voter identification cards, including post-secondary school issued IDs, employee ID badges, a concealed handgun permit, a public assistance identification card, U.S. military IDs, and state-issued driver’s licenses or ID cards.

Voters who have another form of photographic identification as defined in the Act do not qualify for one of the new voter identification cards.

“We have worked closely with county clerks’ offices across the state to implement this program, and will continue to do so,” he added. “We have set up a website with information about the Voter Identification law, and we encourage Arkansans to visit that site to learn what qualifies as photo ID and other aspects of the law. Additionally, we have worked through civic organizations like the NAACP to publicize the new law and will continue to actively work to notify voters of the new requirements.”